The FIFA World Cup trophy has seen its value skyrocket to 264 times what it was in 1966, according to new analysis from precious metals platform BullionVault. The trophy, made primarily of gold and sterling silver, is now the most expensive trophy in the world, with a theoretical metal value of £658,693 ($882,000).
Comparison with 1966
In 1966, the year England last won the World Cup, the same trophy's raw metal value was just £2,498. The dramatic increase is due to the significant appreciation of precious metals over the past six decades. Gold, which was priced at just $35 per ounce in 1966, briefly spiked to over $5,360 per ounce in March 2026 before pulling back to around $4,100. Even at current levels, gold remains higher than a year ago when it was $3,300 per ounce.
Most Valuable Sports Trophies
BullionVault analyzed the weight and composition of metals to determine the most valuable sports trophies. The FIFA World Cup Trophy narrowly beat horse racing's Kentucky Derby Trophy, which is worth £639,864 ($856,000). Dan Jay, director at BullionVault, commented: "Crafted from gold and sterling silver, these iconic prizes represent the pinnacle of sporting excellence. However, beneath their historic prestige lies a fortune in raw commodities."
Gold as a Hedge
Jay added: "The staggering jump in the FIFA World Cup Trophy's material worth, from under £2,500 in 1966 to well over half a million pounds today, perfectly illustrates gold's enduring value as a potential hedge against inflation and currency devaluation." He noted that while the sporting world prepares to see who will lift the trophy on the pitch, the numbers show how gold and silver prices have changed over time, yet remain the chief materials for the most valued trophies.
